Seesaw.



T. R. ARDEN.

SEESAW.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. 1918.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

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snare snares PATENT op nion.

THOMAS RAYIHOND ARDEN, 0F NEVT YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ARDEN MANUFAC- TURING CORPORATION, OF NEl/V YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SEESAW.

Application filed May 31, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS RAYMOND ARDEN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seesaws, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a toy in the form of a see-saw, in which the oscillating action of the balanced plank or platform is spring controlled.

The object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed toy of this character which may be cheaply produced, and which may be easily operated by a young child.

The invention is illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, 1n wh1ch Figure 1 -1s a side elevatlonal view of the device;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, from the opposite side to that shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, 10 denotes a suitable base which is adapted to support a frame comprising the lower wall 11 and the parallel lateral walls 12 and 13 which extend down into the base as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3. Each of the end walls 12 and 13 is provided near its upper end with a preferably, substantially triangular orifice 14, to receive suitably shaped lugs or pivot pins 15 struck up from the side arms 16 of a yoke-shaped carrier frame. which comprises such side arms 16 and the base plate 17. The plank or platform 18 is secured to the plate 17 by lugs 19 which are struck up from the material of the plate 17 and are clenched over the side edges ofthe platform.

The side arms 16 are provided with the curved portions 16 overhanging the upper curved edges of the lateral walls 12 and 13. One of the lateral walls. that denoted 13 in the drawing, is provided with the oppositely disposed arcuate slots 20 in wh ch are adapted to move the teeth 21 projecting outwardly from one of the lateral arms 16. When the carrier frame rocks on its pivots 15 the ends of the slots 20 define the limit of the rocking motion of such carrier frame.

Bearing in the walls 12 and 13, at points Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

Serial No. 237,397.

intermediate their ends, is a rotatable shaft 22, formed at one end as a handle 23 and at the opposite end projecting beyond the outer face of the wall 13 and carrying a collar 24 near its extremity. Mounted loosely on the shaft 22 adjacent the inner face of the wall 13 is a toothed disk 25 of suflicient diameter so that the teeth 21 may, when the carrier frame rocks, move into and out of the spaces between the teeth on the periphery of the disk 25.

Coiled about and having one end attached to the shaft 22 is a spring 26, the portion A adjacent the handle 23 being more tightly coiled than the portion 13, and the opposite end 27 of such spring being attached to the toothed disk 25. The spring 26, as it uncoils, tends to rotate the disk 25 on the shaft 22. Interposed between the collar 24 and the outer face of the wall 13, on the end of shaft 22, is the coiled portion of a brake or retardation spring 28. the end 29 of which is secured to the adjacent side wall 13. The

function of spring 28 is to prevent reverse rotation of the shaft 22.

The opposite ends of the platform 18 may be slotted as at 18 so that lay figures 30 may be removably and adjustably mounted on the platform.

Following is a description of the operation of the device :Bv turning the handle 23 in the proper direction and holding the platform 18 against rocking. the coils of the spring 26 are tightened. The platform 18 being held. the teeth 21 will remain at rest in the spaces between the teeth on the periphery of the disk 25, and the latter will be held a ainst rotation. The spring 28 permits the shaft 22 to be rotated forwardly, z'. 6., in a direction to tension the spring 26, but prevents reverse rotation of such shaft. When the platform 18 is released. the energy stored in the spring 26 will become effective to turn the disk 25 on the shaft 22. the teeth of the disk coacting with the teeth 21 and rocking the platform 18 on its pivotal po nts 15. Owing to the almost perfect balance of the platform 18 it requires barely any power for its actuation and consequently the device will remain in operation for a cons derable period, with but one winding of the shaft 22.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the structural details of the device are susceptible of considerable variation in the nature of providing equivalents for the elements shown and described, and what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a see-saw, the combination with a pivotally mounted platform having spaced projections, of a toothed member adapted to coact with said spaced projections to rock said platform, and means for actuating said toothed member.

2. In a see-saw, the combination with a pivotally mounted platform having spaced projections, of a rotary disk having a toothed periphery adapted to engage said projections, and means for rotating said disk.

3. In a see-saw, the combination with a frame including side walls one of which is provided with slots therein, of a pivotally mounted platform having projections extending into said slots, a toothed disk adapted to engage said projections to rock said platform, and means for actuating said disk.

4. In a see-saw, the combination with a frame including side walls one of which has oppositely disposed arcuate slots therein, of a carrier frame pivoted to said first named frame and having projections extending into said slots, a platform supported by said carrier frame, a shaft traversing said first named frame, a toothed disk loose on said shaft and projecting into the path of said projections, a spring coiled about said shaft having one end attached to said shaft and the other end attached to said disk, and means for preventing reverse rotation 'of said shaft.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS RAYMOND ARDEN.

WVitnesses: V

OTTO MUNK, CLARIQE FRANCE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

